Top Five : The best Champions League moments of 2014
Great goals and a goalkeeping defender
Wednesday 31 December 2014 18:54, UK
We glance back at the top five moments of the Champions League in 2014.
Ludogorets qualify with a defender in goal
Bulgarian side Ludogorets held Liverpool and defeated Basel in the Champions League group phase, but their qualification for Group B was just as remarkable. With Ludogorets on the brink of a 1-0 aggregate defeat to Steaua Bucharest, Wanderson produced a stunning 90th-minute volley to take the second leg to extra-time. However, there was more drama to come as Ludogorets had 'keeper Vladislav Stoyanov sent off for a second bookable offense. Defender Cosmin Moti pulled on the goalie jersey and gloves and, after scoring his side's first penalty in the shootout, proceeded to save two Steaua spot-kicks to book the Bulgarians a place in the competition proper.
Atletico Madrid's assistant manager goes mad at the referee
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone is famous for his spiky temperament, so it was no surprise to discover his assistant German ‘Mono’ Burgos also had fire in his belly. In England we’re used to seeing people annoyed with the officials, but not so much to the extent that he has to be restrained by so many people!
Luiz Adriano’s goal-scoring heroics
Luiz Adriano equalled Cristiano Ronaldo’s group-stage record of nine goals. The Brazilian was prolific in Shakhtar’s double-header with BATE, scoring five in the thumping 7-0 win in Belarus before netting a hat-trick on home turf as the Ukrainian side triumphed 5-0. He also overtook Andrey Vorobey to become Shakhtar's top scorer of all-time with 115 goals.
Manchester City taunt Totti
Manchester City sent a cheeky tweet ahead of their Champions League clash with Roma at the Etihad, pointing out the legendary Italy striker had never scored in England. "It really brought me luck," Totti joked after the 38-year-old pulled Roma level with a neat chipped finish in the eventual 1-1 draw. City had the last laugh, though, qualifying for the knockout phase at Roma's expense.
Los Blancos win La Decima
If you want to put a marker down for being the top team in Europe, then beating the current champions is the best way to do it, but smashing them 4-0 on their own patch is something else. Real's 5-0 aggregate win was comprehensive - but their triumph in Munich in the second leg was a stunning show of strength, with two goals from Sergio Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo sending them through to a final with local rivals Atletico - and the coveted La Decima.
